Virginia Groundcherry

Virginia Groundcherry

Physalis virginiana P. Mill.

Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)

▲ ▼ mature plants

▲ ▼ flowers

▲ ▼ fruit

Groundcherry:

three most common species are creeping perennial weeds in pastures, gardens, cultivated fields, waste areas; one species is summer annual
much branched stems, yellow-white flowers and small berry fruit enclosed in papery "chinese lantern" structure; plants not spiny
- Virginia groundcherry
  - Creeping perennial with creeping roots
  - is only slightly hairy
  - stems often more green, less purple than smooth groundcherry
  - yellow flowers have lighter brown to pale purplish gray centers, or yellow centers
  - leaves elongated, and less lobed than smooth groundcherry
  - fruit often more elongated than smooth groundcherry, but may be globe-shaped